Westin Hotel & Capitol Art Lofts (Jackson, Madison: 2015, construction, to live)

[zblanton1]

Does anyone have any information on the Westin Hotel development, or the Capitol Art Lofts?

For anyone that doesn't know the Westin Hotel is the long awaited convention center hotel that many mayors of the city for several years have been pushing hard for. It started out I believe as a Hyatt, then Westin was decided upon.

Anyway, this development's future worries me because it was actually supposed to have started construction, I guess back in early 2013 and then it was pushed back to Fall 2014 and now ... I don't know what's going on. Mississippi Valley Title moved to Madison a long time ago, and for awhile the old building on Tombigbee Street sat empty. Well supposedly Westin has recently purchased the vacant building to demolish it and start building a Westin Hotel on the site.

But the demolition of the old MVT building was to take place back in October or sometime last Fall, and upon riding by the area today, I noticed the old MVT building has STILL not been demolished! I haven't heard anything about Westin having trouble with the development and the coming of a Westin to Jackson was even in a magazine published down on the coast called Legends, saying that the Westin was due to open in early 2016.

So I guess maybe that means they've pushed the demolition date back a bit as well, but I was just wondering if anyone knew any thing about it or could provide recent updates on the development.

The other downtown development I wanted to ask about is the Capitol Art Lofts that are or were going to be located down on the 200 block of West Capitol Street directly across from the historic King Edward Hotel.

The development forced Lott Furniture out of it's storefront for this development, and it was slated to actually have been completed this past December. But back in February of 2014, the Jackson Free Press ran an article saying that the developers had hit a snag in funding, and that the project was temporarily stalled.

Just wondering if anybody had any new information on that development as well, because this is a much needed development for downtown!

Oh and if anyone didn't know the Capitol Art Lofts are or were going to about 41 lofts for artists or other people looking to live downtown and it was going to include retail space as well I believe.

Thanks to anyone that can help me out with figuring out what's going on with these two very key developments in downtown Jackson!

[viverlibre]

I believe building codes (JRA or the city wants to keep the buildings looking somewhat similar to their currently appearance) is putting a snag in this project. It would probably be cheaper to just demolish them and start anew.

[zblanton1]

Originally Posted by viverlibre

I believe building codes (JRA or the city wants to keep the buildings looking somewhat similar to their currently appearance) is putting a snag in this project. It would probably be cheaper to just demolish them and start anew.

Well I know that one of the buildings on Capitol Street is falling in, and I thought they would just demolish that one and make a courtyard there for the residents. But I sure hope, the Capitol Art Lofts is still a go to some degree.

[Popquez87]

Westin developers aim high on room rates - Mississippi Business JournalMississippi Business Journal

According to the MBJ article from 1/9/15, the Westin is still on track to be built.

[zblanton1]

Originally Posted by Popquez87

Westin developers aim high on room rates - Mississippi Business JournalMississippi Business Journal

According to the MBJ article from 1/9/15, the Westin is still on track to be built.

Awesome I thought so! Thanks for finding this article, because the Westin Hotel is a very big deal for the city of Jackson and the Downtown area.

[golden eagles fan]

I, too, want to see the West in, and I believe we will. I also want to see a convention center hotel tied into it as well. Jackson needs to think big.

[zblanton1]

Originally Posted by golden eagles fan

I, too, want to see the West in, and I believe we will. I also want to see a convention center hotel tied into it as well. Jackson needs to think big.

Well they're afraid that with the Westin being built, the city would be less interested to see a convention center hotel. I know at one time I believe Hyatt was contracted to build one, but something happened there.

I had initially believed that the Westin could go ahead and qualify as the convention center hotel since it's so close to the convention center itself, but it seems like this is a completely separate venture.

[Popquez87]

I hope we still get a convention center hotel. A Hyatt would be a great brand. Jackson needs more reputable hotel rooms and hotel brands in the city. I'm actually surprised Yarber hasn't said much regarding the convention center hotel since his mayoral term.

[golden eagles fan]

The more hotel spaces there are in downtown, the more conventions and other events that can be held there. The lack of adequate hotel space is what has held the convention center back from doing much more business. I realize Jackson isn't Atlanta or Dallas, but we shouldn't miss out on events because of hotel space.

[madison2013]

Originally Posted by golden eagles fan

The more hotel spaces there are in downtown, the more conventions and other events that can be held there. The lack of adequate hotel space is what has held the convention center back from doing much more business. I realize Jackson isn't Atlanta or Dallas, but we shouldn't miss out on events because of hotel space.

The problem goes deeper than hotel spaces